The state-run Hulhumalé hospital has denied delaying treatment for a 24-year-old accident victim who died Saturday night.

The hospital became the target of public outrage after a man who was at the emergency room alleged in a viral Facebook post that staff had refused to put the patient on a ventilator as advised by the doctor.

Hospital staff “wanted to make the necessary memo slips first” but there was no identification on the victim, who was walking home when he was hit by a speeding motorbike.

Nurses kept using a manual resuscitator for about an hour while his photo was posted on Facebook in the hopes of reaching a family member, the witness recounted.

When family arrived after 11 pm, they transferred him to Tree Top hospital but he passed away while undergoing treatment for severe head injuries.

The victim has been identified as Mohamed Sobah, an architecture student at the Maldives National University.

After the Facebook post was widely shared and picked up by the media, the Aasandha company that manages the Hulhumalé hospital told the press that the allegations were untrue.

Despite lack of identification, arrangements were made to transfer him to ADK hospital in Malé because ventilator service is not yet available at the Hulhumalé hospital, the company said.

A sea ambulance was also readied but the family wanted to transfer him to Tree Top, it added.

“Delaying treatment in such emergency cases due to lack of ID card or inability to make a memo is a not a rule followed by Hulhumalé hospital or any health service centre in the Maldives,” Aasandha said in a press statement Sunday night.

The hospital appealed against “spreading falsehoods in social media in a manner that incites anger and anxiety” out of respect for the grieving family.

As a pedestrian I feel that Male' and Hulhumale' aren't safe places to walk. Even when we follow the law and regulations we are bound to become victims of reckless behaviro of some youth. It's apparent that we need to learn to respect each other. https://t.co/g0O1Z0oitx

Incorrect parking is not gonna cost a human life. But reckless driving/riding would. So instead of taking fines for incorrect parking, why don’t give a speeding ticket to speed breakers and cool racers?

When you are speeding by on your vehicle, even if you are not concerned for your own safety, have the decency to at least think about others. Reckless driving is a cause of many accidents and death. We need to try our best to ensure that such accidents do not happen.